Pretzel Bites

I have made pretzels before.  Long, long ago.  I think it was before kids.  They aren't difficult to make.  I'm not sure why I haven't made them more?

These little pretzel bites are quite tasty, warm, right out of the oven.  RT was so into them I had to hold him back from eating them all.  In fact, he ran out to the store for some honey mustard to put on the pretzel bites (or use as a dip).

I don't think these are going to last long.  I will definitely be making another batch soon.

Here's the recipe, taken from Sally's Baking Addiction:

Pretzel Bites

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups warm water (lukewarm is okay)
1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (not hot)
3.75-4.25 cups all purpose flour, plus more for the counter to knead dough
1 large egg, beaten
coarse sea salt for sprinkling


What to do:

Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Stir with spoon until fairly mixed.  Add salt, sugar and butter.  Stir until mixed.  Slowly add 3 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time.  Mix with wooden spoon until dough is thick.  Add 3/4 cup more flour until the dough is no longer sticky.  If it is still sticky, add up to 1/4 cup more.  Poke dough with your finger.  If it bounces back, it is ready to knead.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface.  Knead dough for about 3 minutes.  Shape into a ball.  Place in large mixing bowl (that has been greased with spray, butter, coconut oil).  Cover and let rest in warm area for about 10 minutes.

Oven 425F degrees.  Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper (or silicone baking mats) and set aside.

With a sharp knife, cut ball of dough into 6 sections.  Roll the dough into six 20" long ropes.  Cut the rope into 1.5" pieces to make bites.

Boil 4 1/2 cups water with 1/4 cup baking soda.  Drop 8-10 pretzel bites into water and let sit for about 20 seconds.  Remove with a spatula or tongs and place on baking sheet.  Make sure bites aren't touching.

Brush bites with beaten egg and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from oven and serve alone or with honey mustard or cheese sauce.  Pretzel bites remain fresh for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

These are so good, I don't think they will last more than 3 days.  I know they won't last more than a day here.  :)

Pretzel bites can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw them out and reheat in the oven at 300F degrees until warm.

Enjoy!

Felt Gingerbread House Ornament

We had so much fun making the felt Christmas Tree Ornament, that I decided to make a gingerbread house ornament.

Supplies needed:
felt (brown, white (or cream)
buttons
thread
embroidery thread (optional)
scissors
paper
pencil
ruler
ribbon

I made a template on my paper.  Using my ruler, I measured my square  ".  I made the top of my house by finding the center and measuring up half of the houses length.  Cut out your template, place on felt and trace using your pencil.  Make two (one for the back of your ornament).

Using my template, I made a triangle on the cream colored felt and started cutting.  I tried to cut the bottom part like snow hanging from the roof.

I sewed the "snow" onto the house.  I guess you could use hot glue.  I find sewing by hand relaxing.  Well, when it's fun stuff, not when I have to sew on a million patches onto a brownie uniform.  Next came the buttons and door (once again, I cut this out of the cream felt, I did not have a template, just free handed it).  I decided to use red embroidery thread on the window to make it festive, and, possibly look like a piece of candy (not sure if that worked).

Once I was done, I sewed a little ribbon to the back so I can hang as an ornament and then sewed the other piece of felt onto the back (again, you can probably hot glue the back on).

And, there you have it.  An easy to make felt gingerbread house ornament.  Makes a great ornament, or attachment to a gift.

Have you made any ornaments this year?

Felt Christmas Tree Ornament

I was looking for an easy sewing craft for Bella. I thought it would be fun for her to learn how to sew. I thought I would start with felt. It's easy to use and we can make some fun things out of felt.  We started with a felt Christmas tree ornament.

Supplies needed:

Green felt

Paper 

Pencil

Needle

Thread 

Optional: buttons, rick a rack, ribbon, sequins, etc. 

Start by folding your piece of paper in half and drawing a (Christmas) tree. Cut out tree, unfold and you have your tree template.

I cut Bella's a little wider than her drawing. 

Trace your tree (using the pencil) onto the felt. Cut tree out. (If making an ornament or pillow, cut out two) 

This is where you let the creative juices flow. Using your buttons, Rick rack, sequins, etc. start sewing them onto the felt tree. 

Felt tree with buttons

Once you have decorated your tree ornament / pillow, it's time to sew the two sides together. We sewed a little ribbon loop at the top so we can hang it from the tree. This was good practice on how to sew.  I hope Bella continues to like sewing.

This makes a wonderful first time sewing project.  Do you like to sew?  What was your first sewing project?

Peppermint Soap

You know how I love all things peppermint!

If you recall, I have made peppermint soap before on the blog.  So, it comes as no surprise that I would try making it again.  This time, I decided to try adding some soap colorant and package them with some pretty Christmas paper.

If attempting this at home, make sure to use only one drop of colorant per bar of soap.  Don't believe other blogs that show you to use three.  Not that I did that or anything......

OK, OK, I admit that I added three drops to each bar.  I was trying to give it a swirl effect and Nick commented that the soap looked, "bloody."  Thanks, Nick.

I don't think I added enough peppermint to get that tingly feeling.  I will have to wait until someone tries it.

Until then, here is my pretty (bloody) peppermint soap bars.

They make a great Christmas gift!

And, now to show you the other side of things, because, I like to keep it real here.

And, now you know why Nick called them bloody soap.

Santa Hot Chocolate Paper Holder

Found this cute idea for a Christmas gift.  Great for a teacher, coach, bus driver, baby sitter, etc.

Supplies needed:
Card stock: red, black, white, grey (or silver)
scissors
glue dots
paper and pencil (to make a template)
packet of hot chocolate

I tried to freehand a template for this Christmas mug, and, guess what?  It worked!  First fold your paper in half.  I used an 8.5"x11" piece of paper.  I put the two 8.5" sides together and drew a cylinder and cut it out.  I opened the paper and cut out a half circle out (to look like the rim of the mug).

Hope this gives a better idea of what I'm talking about.

I placed the template onto the red paper, traced and cut out.  I free handed a handle to be place where you glue the mug together (using glue dots).  Added some white for the trim of Santa's suit.  Added a belt and belt buckle.  Placed my hot chocolate inside and....Done!

     Hot Chocolate Santa Sleeve

Ugly Christmas Sweater

The manager at work decided that we should all wear ugly Christmas sweaters for our sale.  She wanted to get a group picture of us and put it on the company's Face book page to thank all of our customers.

I do not own an ugly Christmas sweater.  I don't even own a pretty Christmas sweater.   In fact, I don't have any Christmas sweaters.  I was not about to purchase one to wear for one day.  I can think of better things to do with my money.   I could not find one at the thrift stores (ugly Christmas sweater parties are pretty popular these days).  So, I decided to make my own version of an ugly Christmas sweater.

I did say this is a scary journey, didn't I?

Me wearing my ugly Christmas sweater

First step.  Purchase a sweater.  I found mine at the thrift store.  Turns out it was the half price color that day, so I paid a whopping $1.50.  (SCORE!)  Next, after you wash and dry it, find some Christmassy (I'm sure that's a word) items to sew onto your sweater.  I decided to go with garland and bows.  Other choices:  ornaments, lights, pom poms, sequins or buttons.  You can make a Santa, snowman, Christmas tree or reindeer using felt and sew that on.  Use your imagination.

I had fun making my sweater.  RT got a kick out of it.  I 'm thinking I should make him a matching sweater so we can be twins.  

Our high school has a form we have to sign about giving our son's name and phone number to the military (when they turn 18). I always say "no" on these forms. I was very firm about it this year since Nick was turning 18.

I know.  At 18, he is an adult and can do (almost) anything he wants - even join the military.  I have nothing against the military.  It's just one of those items on my list of things that the boys can not do until I die.  (they know about the list and have even added to it).

Tuesday, Nick turned 18.  We had dinner.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  He blew out the candles.  The phone rang and I answered.  It was someone asking for Nick.  (he has a cell phone and no one ever calls the home phone asking for him, so it was a little strange)

Me:  Who's calling?

Him:  It's ______ from the US Marines.

Me:  How did you get his name and phone number?

Him:  From the high school.

Me:  That's interesting.  I filled out a form asking that his name and number not be given out to the military.

Him:  I'm sorry.  I will put down that he is not interested.

Me:  Yes.  You do that.

I know I have no right, he is 18, an adult.  He can make his own decisions (he would have said no, by the way).  My question is why have this form when you are not going to honor the parent's decision?

I haven't spoken to the school yet.

I'm waiting to calm down.

Saint Nicholas Day

There are many stories about the life of St. Nicholas.  I found my information here.  The following is a quick summary.  Click on the link to read more details.

St. Nicholas came from a wealthy family.  His parents died when he was very young.  He grew up in his faith and strongly believed to give to the poor.  He became Bishop and was know for his generosity, love of children and concern for sailors.  Under the Roman Empire he was persecuted for his faith.  He went to prison.  He was released and died on December 6.  The anniversary of his death became a celebration known as St. Nicholas Day.

There are many variations of the story of St. Nicholas. He gave money for three poor girls dowries, he helped children, gave to the poor. Do a little research.  You will even see how Santa Claus evolved. 

We just started putting our shoes out for St. Nicholas in the last couple if years. It's a fun tradition and the kids love it. 

Do you have any special traditions you do with your family during the holidays?

Time to make the lunches

Do you remember the commercial from the 80's about Making the Donuts?  It was a commercial for Dunkin Donuts, where the guy got up early and all he thought about (and said) was, "Gotta make the Donuts."  He woke up early, didn't seem too enthused about it, but, he did it.

That's exactly how I feel about making lunches.

My mom used to complain about making lunches for us when we were growing up.  We got to an age and she made us make our own.  I didn't see what the big deal was about making lunches.  It's not THAT difficult.  Put things in there that you would want to eat for lunch the next day.  Easy, right?

Then, I had kids of my own and had to make lunches.

It all started out fun.  Making a lunch here and there.  Putting in things that you know your child will eat (and that will survive in a paper bag/lunch box until lunch time).

Then came the requests.  Those were a great help because after awhile, you run out of fun ideas.  Unfortunately, the ideas stop and I was left on my own again.  Lunch making is now the time I dread.  I feel like I'm making the same lunch for all of the kids.

Just like in the Dunkin Donuts commercial, I have to keep going. Come rain, sun, sleet, snow I still have to make the Donuts....I mean the lunches.*

*those are links to two different commercials. Check them out. 

Yummy Cupcakes

I finally found a delicious cupcake recipe from scratch.  Yes, using a box mix is a lot easier to make, but, I was looking for something healthy.  In other words, I wanted to know ALL of the ingredients in my cupcake.

I found this recipe in the newspaper a few years ago and love it.

The Perfect Cupcake

1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 T warm water
1 t vanilla extract

Oven to 400 degrees.  Line your muffin tin.
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Alternate adding eggs and flour (starting with and ending with the egg), beating until each is thoroughly mixed.
Divide batter into muffin tins.  Bake until fully cooked and golden, 15-17 minutes.  Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.  Put on wire rack to cool.


A few side notes:

I don't add the full cup of sugar (surprise, surprise).  If you are going to frost them, there's your added sugar.  :)

I have also made these cupcakes and substituted coconut oil.  They turned out delicious! (and healthy, too!)

B A Bay

For those of you that watched the Three Stooges you probably recognize that title. If not, then watch this here.

When I was growing up, I remember watching this episode and singing along. I don't remember singing it THAT much.  Maybe my brothers were singing it, too?  I don't know. 

I remember my Dad came home from work one day and asked us to sing the song. Apparently he heard us sing it so much that he was singing it all day long at work. Unfortunately he only knew one line ("B-A-Bay) and sang it over and over.  I think he figured if the song is stuck in his head, he might as well learn the whole song. I thought it was funny that he was singing it. I didn't think he heard it that many times. I don't think he was too amused about singing it. Especially when he only knew one line of the song. (Luckily he had a sense of humor)

You're probably wondering why I brought this up. Obviously there's a story behind all of this singing. 

 Well, I was having a similar experience last night. Bella is learning to play the recorder this year. She happened to find one inside the piano bench and started playing. She only knows two notes: A and B.  She also knows a song using those two notes. It goes like this:

B  A   Blues
Got me in the groove
Every body singing
B  A   Blues

Hearing Bella play and sing this song over and over (and over and over) reminded me of my Dad singing the Three Stooges song. I knew I would get this song stuck in my head.  I was already singing along with her (and without her).   I would probably be singing it for a couple of days. 

Although, after watching that clip..."B A Bay, B E BE, B I Bicki Bi, B O Bo...."

You know you've hit rock bottom when you go to the grocery store like you have just rolled out of bed (because you pretty much have just rolled out of bed).  In sweats and boots, haven't combed your hair or washed your face.  Hoping and praying that you don't see anyone that you know.

Palmer Candy Cane Cups

If you like peppermint (like me) and chocolate, you have to try this candy. 

Found this bag at the dollar store. 

Bite sized chocolate candy cups. They look a lot like the Reese's peanut butter cups but, instead of peanut butter, these are filled with peppermint candy. 

How good is it?

Lets just say that I don't plan on sharing.